Principal Electrical Engineer

Jtekt Na; Plymouth, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supplementary Insurance

401K with match

HSA contribution

Success Sharing

Paid Time Off

Educational Reimbursement

Pet insurance

Legal consultation

Cyber security benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

JTEKT North America in Plymouth, MI is seeking an experienced principal engineer/technical lead for electromechanical chassis systems. You will guide software/hardware development, system architecture, and test environments, while partnering with manufacturing and quality teams to resolve issues and ensure product robustness.

The role requires hands-on problem solving, strong communication, and the ability to drive projects from concept through production. Some travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or Mechatronics; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years developing automotive electromechanical systems, preferably safety-critical.
• Experience leading programs from concept to production launch and support.
• Experience with FMEA, FTA, 8D, root-cause investigation.
• Proficient with MATLAB/Simulink, Vector CANoe/CANalyzer/CANape, HIL tools.
• Knowledge of ISO 26262 and ASPICE is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex engineering programs with cross-functional teams.
• Serve as technical authority for software/hardware and system integration.
• Lead reviews of requirements, specs, interfaces, tests, and calibration tooling.
• Define verification/validation plans, traceability, and test coverage.
• Support product launch and manufacturing through corrective actions.
• Mentor and coordinate engineering activities across teams.

Skills

Electromechanical systems

Embedded controls

Electrical architectures

Vehicle networks

Diagnostics

System integration

Software development

Requirements management

Model-based development

V-cycle development

HIL testing

Data acquisition

CAN/CAN FD

Calibration tools

FMEA

Safety standards

Problem solving

Technical communication

Education

Bachelors in EE/CE/Mechatronics

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

Vector CANoe

CANalyzer

CANape

HIL platforms

Calibration tools

Data acquisition systems

Job description

JTEKT North America, 47771 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, Michigan, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 4:00 AM

Summary:

In this role, you will report to the Electrical Engineering Manager and serve as a principal technical and project lead for development of electromechanical chassis systems, including steering and driveline products. This position requires a strong understanding of overall software and hardware development processes, practical experience with embedded systems and test environments, and the ability to provide hands-on technical support when needed.

This is a principal role for an engineer who can align project goals, technical tasks, and development resources while also contributing directly to problem solving, testing, and system integration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead complex engineering programs by defining project objectives, managing risks and resources, and coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve customer and business goals.
• Serve as the technical authority for software, electronic hardware, system integration, and control system development, providing guidance on architecture, requirements, technical reviews, and issue resolution.
• Lead technical reviews of requirements, specifications, interfaces, drawings, validation plans, and test results, providing recommendations to improve product performance, quality, manufacturability, and development efficiency.
• Define and lead verification and validation activities, including planning, traceability, test coverage, and the development of calibration, diagnostic, communication, and test tools to support efficient product development and issue resolution.
• Support product launch and production by partnering with manufacturing, quality, and supplier management teams to resolve production issues, implement corrective actions, and improve quality, yield, and process robustness.
• Lead and contribute to critical technical activities across product development, integration, validation, and production support, providing hands-on expertise in problem solving, technical reviews, and issue resolution when required.
• Work additional hours, including weekends, when directed by the immediate supervisor or when necessary to complete essential job duties.
• Develop and maintain responsive, cooperative relationships with internal and external customers while treating others with dignity, trust, and respect.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities but includes project leadership, technical leadership, mentoring, and coordination of cross-functional engineering activities.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of electromechanical systems, embedded controls, electrical architectures, vehicle networks, diagnostics, and system integration.
• Strong understanding of automotive software and hardware development processes, including requirements management, model-based development, verification and validation, configuration management, and V-cycle development.
• Ability to apply control theory, system modeling, signal analysis, and closed-loop control principles to system design, performance evaluation, and problem solving.
• Working knowledge of HIL, dynamometer, laboratory, and vehicle test environments, including system integration, instrumentation, test automation, and data acquisition.
• Working knowledge of automotive communication protocols and development tools, including CAN/CAN FD, diagnostics, calibration, and measurement systems.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.
• Supplementary Insurance
• Optional Benefits (pet insurance, legal consultation, cyber security, retirement support, mental health services, etc.)
• 401K (With match)
• HSA contribution
• Success Sharing
• Paid Time-Off
• Educational Reimbursement

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience developing automotive electromechanical systems, preferably steering, braking, chassis, driveline, or other safety-critical products.
• Experience leading complex product development programs from concept through production launch and field support.
• Experience with engineering risk assessment and structured problem-solving methodologies, including FMEA, FTA, 8D, and root-cause investigation.
• Experience using automotive development and validation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, Vector CANoe/CANalyzer/CANape, HIL platforms, calibration tools, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience supporting product launch and manufacturing operations, including troubleshooting production issues and implementing corrective actions.
• Experience with functional safety and automotive development processes, including ISO 26262, ASPICE, CMMI, or equivalent methodologies, preferred.
• Experience applying automation, data analytics, machine learning, or AI-based tools to improve engineering productivity, testing efficiency, or decision-making is a plus.
• Work is mostly performed in a normal office setting with minimal exposure to health or safety hazards, and with substantial time spent working on a computer.
• Performing this position may occasionally require exposure to manufacturing areas which require the use of personal protective equipment such as safety glasses with side shields and mandatory hearing protection.
• Travel by automobile and plane required approximately 5-10% of time.

JTEKT North America, 47771 Halyard Drive, Plymouth, Michigan, United States of America